When I redeem my hard-earned points and miles, I was all about getting a lot. Once I finally burned my return, I pay attention to TPG’s valuation and redemption advice to ensure I get the best value.
But I can’t always follow Each rule. When I book a trip to Europe, I have to ignore the highest rule: be flexible.
Even if my redemption is not always a higher value than TPG’s valuation, analytical paralysis won’t get my best. Points and mileage are often a poor long-term investment due to frequent devaluation of programs. So, I want to honor the rewards of this trip.
By transferring American Express membership rewards to the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, my partner and I were in the Atlantic and defender, the economy with just 47,000 Amex points and about $700 in taxes and fees, all within the range of our set travel schedule.
This is a case of finding valuable redemption yes Even if you break the main points and mileage rules, it is still possible.
My travel plan is not flexible
At TPG, we generally recommend booking reward flights with flexibility to maximize your rewards. If you can expand your search across multiple dates or airport scope, you may unleash more value for your points and miles, but that doesn’t work for my European adventures.
We start planning in January. My partner and I were locked in to start a family trip in London and ended in Milan. The date was at the end of my sister’s Maymester in Florence, Italy, and we had to introduce a trip to and from the United States (all of our trips were already planned in Europe.) We had to leave on May 19 and return on May 29.
Determined to redeem my flight, I use my seat. Aero searches for reward space at John Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York to Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London. I then searched for a return trip from Milan Malpsa Airport (MXP) or Milan Rant Airport (Lin) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
I have a lot of points in my American Express membership rewards account, so I searched for rewards with Amex’s airline transfer partners.
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Despite my strict dates, I found availability through my favorite show, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
The total price of two one-way economic seats:
- 6,000 points plus $109 taxes and fees (per person), flight from Kennedy International Airport to LHR via Virgin Airlines
- 17,500 points plus $229 in taxes and fees (per person), from Lin (Lin
All of these total taxes and fees as high as 47,000 points and $682.
Since Virgin Atlantic Flying Club operates with dynamic reward pricing, what you find when searching may vary. I paid 17,500 points plus $229 in taxes and fees (per person) from forest CDG to ATL, but could get better deals than I booked.
Related: Is Virgin Atlantic’s economy worth the joy on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner?
Do I have many transactions?
Even though my plan is not flexible, I still make a lot of deals. Since I couldn’t go back in time to see how much it would cost if I paid for these flights in cash, I compared the prices of similar flights in May 2026.
We took the two to LHR at 12,000 points plus $218 in taxes and fees from Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to LHR. Prices are in cash and the two tickets are $876.
Let’s use the TPG Rewards with the Cash Calculator to determine if this is a reliable redemption.
The TPG value Virgin points are 1.3 cents (based on our August 2025 valuation), so 12,000 points are worth $156. After calculating out-of-pocket expenses for taxes and expenses ($218), booking scores still save over $500.
When we booked with ITA Airlines and Air France, we spent 35,000 points and $458 in taxes and fees. The ticket price for two economic tickets from Milan to Paris is $234, while the ticket price for two economic tickets from Paris to Atlanta is $3,514.
According to TPG’s calculator, we booked two tickets with points, saving over $2,800.
Related: How (and why) calculate reward value
Why I like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
I booked flights to and from the airline and its partners using the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. This is one of my favorite programs because I can easily find consistent reward availability for good prices. This is valuable for spending some thrifty points here and there, rather than exhausting balance at once.
Additionally, Flying Club is the transfer partner of most major credit card issuers. You can transfer your credit card points to the Flying Club at a 1:1 ratio and the following procedure:
The Flying Club was a great plan for me as I could transfer my Amex points, BILT points and chase points.
However, this loyalty program isn’t perfect, and its turn to dynamic reward prices can get you hundreds of thousands of points, especially for premium cabin fares. In addition, the Flight Club continues to increase surcharges for its own flights and partner operations. So if you have limited travel dates, you may end up spending more points and cash.
Related: How (and Why) You Should Earn Transferable Credit Card Points
How to Earn AMEX Member Reward Points
I won Amex points with one of the toughest cards in my wallet: American Express® Gold Card. In its huge benefits for foodies, I like to earn 4 points per dollar at US supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year for purchases, then 1 point per dollar).
Multiple cards will earn membership reward points, many of which have reliable welcome offers where you can earn a lot of points. Here are some of our favorites:
- AmericanExpress® Commercial Gold Card: Spend $15,000 in the first three months of card membership and earn 100,000 bonus points.
- American Express Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for 100,000 points, spending $6,000 in the first six months of your account opening on a qualified purchase. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- AmericanExpress® Green Card: Spend $3,000 in the first six months of the card member and earn 40,000 points after spending $3,000 on qualified purchases.
- BlueBusiness® plus American Express credit card: Earn 15,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership.
- American Express Business Platinum Card®: Spend $20,000 in the first three months of card membership and earn 150,000 points on qualified purchases.
- American Express Platinum Card®: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for up to 175,000 points, spending $8,000 on qualified purchases in the first six months of opening an account. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Information on American Express green card has been collected independently by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: The best way to reward points with AMEX membership bonuses, from business-grade flights to European flights to budget-friendly hotel accommodation
Bottom line
Although these are not business-grade redemptions or premium first-class cabins, I saved cash and traveled where I wanted to earn points. Not every redemption has to be huge, and points and mileage can sometimes adapt to less flexible travel plans.
Overall, it is best to use your point of view. You don’t want them to be bound by depreciation or expiration, so don’t let strict travel plans keep you from finding reward space, transfer points and traveling.
